A former sparring partner of David Benavidez and Artur Beterbiev has predicted the outcome of a potential showdown between the light-heavyweight duo.
Rumours have began to circulate about a potential clash between the duo taking place in the near future, with both fighters said to be interested in locking horns should the opportunity arise.
Beterbiev had been in line to face fellow countryman Dmitry Bivol in their highly-anticipated trilogy showdown next, but it appears that this has been put on hold for the time being after Bivol underwent back surgery earlier this month.
As for Benavidez, ‘The Monster’ is set to make the first defence of his WBC light-heavyweight title later this year, as he gears up to face Britain’s Anthony Yarde on Saturday November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
One man who has sparred both Beterbiev and Benavidez in the past is former super-middleweight contender Lionell Thompson, who last fought in 2019.
Speaking to Fight Hype, Thompson shared his thoughts on a potential match-up between the duo as he claims that ‘The Monster’ does not have the power to get the better of the Russian star.
“Listen everybody has a chance at beating anybody when you step in there right? But I’m going off the work, see me I go on the work, I don’t go on my emotions, I go at Benavidez opponents and Artur’s opponents.
“Artur’s had the way tougher resume, fighting guys and knocking them out, so I’m going off of that. I never said David was a good fighter, if you go on the resume it’s night and day, night and day!
“I can only see David Benavidez beating Artur if he get old like overnight, but I don’t think that Benavidez brings anything to that table that Artur hasn’t seen and I’ve been in the ring with David, I’ve been in the ring with Artur, David don’t punch hard enough to stop Artur.”
Beterbiev is due to make his long-awaited return to the ring later this year when he faces America’s Deon Nicholson in a non-title bout on the undercard of Benavidez’s upcoming showdown with Yarde on November 22.